Two Changes For Connacht

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has named his side to face Zebre in round 5 of the Heineken Cup at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 3.40pm).

There are just two personnel changes to the westerners' starting line-up this week, with both of those switches occurring in the pack.

Jake Heenan, who missed out on the last two games due to injury, is named to start in the back row. John Muldoon returns to his regular position of blindside flanker, having lined out at openside in Heenan's absence.

Portumna man Muldoon will also captain the side for this round 5 clash after Craig Clarke was ruled out with a neck injury sustained against Leinster last time out.

In the New Zealander's place, Andrew Browne slots into the second row to partner Michael Kearney.

In the front row, Sligo-born hooker Sean Henry, whose last game was against Toulouse in the home Heineken Cup tie last month, has returned from injury to start against the Italians.

The same all-Irish qualified back-line that started against Leinster is selected to face Zebre, with Kieran Marmion at scrum half, Jack Carty at out-half, Eoin Griffin and Robbie Henshaw in midfield and Matt Healy, Fionn Carr and Darragh Leader in the back-three.

Mayo man Gavin Duffy is named on the replacements bench.

Speaking about the team selection, the province's boss Pat Lam said: "It's no secret that we were frustrated with the manner in which we lost the game last week.

"But as everyone saw, there were some positives from that game, including the encouraging performances from our young back-line.

"We have decided to retain this selection for the game against Zebre - another huge challenge. This is Jack's first taste of Heineken Cup rugby and also a first start for young Darragh (Leader) in the competition. It's another big boost to their development as young Irish and Connacht-born players.

"It's fantastic to welcome back Jake (Heenan) and Sean (Henry) to the matchday team. It's a long season and the last numbers of games have been extremely physical, taking its toll on some of our players.

"We've had to plan without Craig (Clarke) this week but getting some players back from injury has meant we have the strength and depth to make the necessary changes."

He added: "There's a huge sense of anticipation around this game. We're still alive in Europe but we need to make sure we are focused this week and do everything we can to get a good win at home against Zebre.

"We are not underestimating them. They are a team that have been improving with every game and they deserved their win against Treviso last week. They'll be coming here full of confidence looking for their first ever win in the Heineken Cup.

"With the support of the special Sportsground crowd, it would be fantastic to do it this week against Zebre and then hopefully go further in the competition."

Connacht have won all three of their meetings with Zebre in the European competition, including a 33-6 win away from home in round 2.

A victory this week would keep Lam's charges alive in Europe, with a game to play against Saracens for qualification from Pool 3.

Tickets for Connacht v Zebre this weekend can be purchased online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby Ticket Office at the Sportsground or from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.